Wado-ryu Karate

Handbook
E-mail:usawado@cox.net
Web Site:www.usawadoryu.com

Sensei Nishimura welcomes you to class and thanks you for signing up. Sensei
Nishimura is a 7th Degree Black Belt with 40 years experience. He also has numerous
tournament wins and awards, most recently a 3rd place in the 2002 World Championships in
Tokyo, Japan. It is his goal to "Foster the spirit of effort" in your child. Although this location
is based out of the park and recreation, USA Wado-Ryu is serious about the commitment to
your child's traditional Japanese martial arts education. The main dojo is located in Laguna
Niguel, CA. Visit us on the web at: www.usawadoryu.com. Here you will find valuable
information, as well as a calendar of upcoming events and contact information.
The advantages to having classes located and given through the park and recreation
department are:
* Quality instruction at reasonable fees
* Easy access and plenty of parking
* No contracts to sign
Some of the things that are expected from the students are:
1. To be respectful to Sensei and other students
2. To be willing to learn while in class
* Listening and paying attention to Sensei or his helpers
* A willingness to take correction in the spirit it is given
* Sit quietly and watch. Many things can be learned from sitting and
watching quietly
3. The commitment to practice at home (a few minutes everyday make a huge
difference in your childs progress)
4. To learn of Japanese phrases
5. To learn the dojo kun
6. Students with long hair should pull it back into a ponytail. Soft elastics only.
No clips or barrettes.
7. Please remove all jewelry and watches before starting class.
8. Come dressed with gi and belt properly tied. (ask for help if you are unsure
how to do this)
9. Remember your passport. (If you need a passport, please see Sensei)
Students will be given a handbook containing the dojo kun and more detailed
information. Please make sure to go over this with your child(ren).
Some important things for parents and observers of class:
1. Please turn off or silence your cellular phone. If you need to answer a call,
please go outside to do so.
2. We respectfully ask that all crying and fussy children who are observing
class, be removed immediately.
3. Please no photography or video taping during class.
4. Please no conversations during class.
The reason you are being asked to observe these rules is for the benefit of your child. All of
the above items create distractions and take away from your child being able to devote his or
her full attention to class. You wouldnt go into your childs school classroom and do any of
the above items. Your childs karate education is just as important to us.
The emphasis of the class will be on traditional Japanese martial arts. Self control and self
discipline are the primary goals. This means that horseplay and chatting in class are not
allowed.

Sparring
At the intermediate and advanced levels students will be given the opportunity to spar.
Sensei Nishimura will have for purchase the equipment necessary. You must have the
following:
1. Helmet
2. Gloves
3. Mouthpiece
Boys should also have athletic protection (cup). Stray kicks are not uncommon.
These items are mandatory and you will not be allowed to spar without them!
The following items are optional but strongly recommended:
1. Chest protector
2. Shin guards
Testing
While there is testing after each session, it may not be in your child's best interest to test after
every session. Every child is different and the goal is to have each child reach his or her full
potential, and have a good experience. Testing is a very formal process and can be
intimidating for some students. If you have any questions about if your child is ready for
testing please consult Sensei. Sensei will try and give you advance warning if he sees
that your child is not going to be ready to test. He will give your child constructive advice on
areas to work on.
If your child is asked to wait to test, please do not see this as a failure, but an opportunity
for your child to grow to his fullest potential. By waiting until the next session to test, he or
she will have more confidence in his or her routine and will have a better feeling about
themselves and their accomplishments. Children are quite uncomfortable if they do not do
well, in front of their peers and family. Sensei would rather have a child wait to test, rather
than be disappointed in front of his or her family and friends. Children know the difference
between when they have worked to learn something and mastered it and when something is
just handed to them because they just showed up. Sensei wants to foster each students
sense of self esteem, pride and reward their hard work.
Some things to keep in mind for testing:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Students must have attended 80% of class to test. Passport stamps are the
proof of attendance. Dont forget your passport!! If you need a passport,
see Sensei.
If you are a green belt or higher, in addition to 80% attendance, you must
attend a seminar, tournament or camp.
Please let Sensei know 2 weeks before testing if you intend to test. This will
insure that the proper belt size will be available.
Make up tests are by Senseis approval

Please be courteous to all the students and refrain from photography or video taping
during testing. It is distracting to the students and hinders their best performance.
An opportunity for a group photo at the end with Sensei will be given. Time
permitting, individual photos with Sensei will be allowed. Please silence your cell
phones. Please feel free to ask questions at the end of class, time permitting.

HISTORY OF WADO-RYU KARATE

A martial art born from the essence of Jujitsu, Karate and Kenjutsu
Wado-ryu Karate, which is also called Wado-ryu Jujitsu Kempoh,
differs from the other three major schools of Karate. The others, Goju,
Shitoh, and Shotokan, maintain to differing degrees. Ryukyu Karate as
their base model in their adaptation to mainland Japan, only Wado-ryu
became a distinct school by merging with Jujitsu.
Hironori Ohtsuka (1892-1982), founder of the school, was originally
a master of Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jujitsu. An avid fan of martial arts,
Ohtsuka acquired an interest in Tohde (Toh = meaning China (Tang
dynasty) + de = te = meaning hand) (or Karate) that began to be talked
about around Tokyo at that time (Taisho period 1912 - 1925), and took
lessons from Gichin Funakoshi.
Funakoshi only taught 15 katas (forms) for individual practice, and
used nothing else as a method of training. The entire training was
focused on repetitive drills of katas over and over without any
pre-arranged kumite (sparring) or combination drill, let alone free
kumite.
However, in Jujitsu the situation is reversed, there is no kata for
individual training, but kumite-kata always practiced by two persons.
Ohtsuka probably felt something was missing in the Karates training
method of repeating katas individually, regarding katas handed down by
predecessors as sacred, and leaving some parts as is, even though no one
knows the meaning. He created kumite-kata, taking the techniques
and forms of Jujitsu for reference and analyzing Karates techniques by
breaking them down. Also, he created the techniques such as dagger
catch and sword catch, which could be the products of incorporating
Karates elements into Jujitsu.
After that, he trained with Karate-practitioners from Okinawa, such
as Chohki Motobu and Kenwa Mabuni, and further polished his Karate
techniques. It is said that then, around 1929, the whole entity of
Wado-ryu Karate-do was completed through a fusion of the essence of
Jujitsu, different schools of the old martial arts, and Karate.
Among the Japanese martial arts, the one that had been the most
highly developed would be Kenjutsu. Yagyu Shinkage-ryu especially
had built an entire structure that developed from Kodachi to catch
without sword, by studying compound techniques such as pose, close-in,
senno sen and gono sen. It would transcend Kenjutsu. Some say
that Yagyu Shinkage-ryu is the highest ground that Kenjutsu attained.
With the body movement of Kenjutsu, plus the techniques and forms
of Jujitsu that are the physical combat sport that the Japanese
developed through actual use of their bodies, and absorbing the system
of thrust and kick that was lacking in the Japanese martial arts from
Karate, Wado-ryu Karate-do was born.

DOJO RULES OF CONDUCT

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Wear the same style uniform (gi) as everyone else; neat, clean, and
white. Wear only authorized patches or colors.
Remove all jewelry.
Wear your belt only in the dojo and with your complete gi.
Always show respect for your belt. Do not toss, play with or leave
them on the floor.
Take care of restroom business before or after class
Do not chew gum. Never eat or drink on the main floor.
Be prompt. Wait at the edge of dojo if you arrive late.
Never leave class without being excused.
Children should wait in the lobby for their ride.
Do not come to class if ill.
Report all injuries immediately.
Always listen to your instructor. Be attentive and alert.
Bow whenever stepping onto or off of main floor.
Class will be called to attention stance to show respect to arriving
black belts.
Address all black belts by sir, maam, or last name, unless they
specify otherwise.
Introduce your self to visiting black belts before or after class.
Do not walk in front of black belts during class.
Line up by rank; highest on the right, lowest on the left, adults in
rank order before children.
Yield to rank.
Do not use weapons or techniques in public.
Do not show off.
Report to Sensei any altercations.
Always display a positive attitude.
Display good citizenship outside of the dojo. You and your actions
reflect on the dojo.
Always call your instructor Sensei.
Long hair must be pulled back into a ponytail with a soft elastic (no
barrettes, clips or hard plastic), keep nails trimmed, and practice
good personal hygiene.
Spectators are reminded to silence cellphones and to refrain from
conversations, including coaching from the side.
Students are to refrain from chatting, coaching.
There is
absolutely no use of profanity in the dojo.

If you cannot observe these rules, you will not be welcome in the dojo of
USA Wado-ryu Karate-Do.

DOJO KUN

MORALS OF THE DOJO

AND THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WADO-RYU KARATE-DO

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Strive for perfection of character.

Defend the paths of truth.
Foster the spirit of effort.
Honor the principles of etiquette.
Guard against abuse of skill.
Think not of the Martial Arts as combat
alone; it is also the study of peace and
the seeking the way of harmony.

By Grand Master, Hironori Ohtsuka

THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME, WADO-RYU

The idea of Wado-Ryu Jujitsu Kempo is peace and harmony.

Hironori Ohtsuka taught us in his poetry of TEN, CHI, JIN NO RI-DO
NI WASURU that the way of the martial arts must not be mere fighting
technique but the way of peace and harmony, The goal of the practice of
this style is to bring peace and harmony, which is more difficult to be
reached than the victory by violence. We must grow the undefeated will
power and healthy body as well as the high intelligence in order to
realize our ideal of peace and harmony which is require by the present
world.

RANKS IN KARATE

COUNTING IN JAPANESE

Belt Color
Rank
1
Orange
13th kyu
2
Yellow
12th kyu
3
Blue
11th kyu
4
Blue with stripe 10th kyu
5
Green
9th kyu
6
Green with stripe 8th kyu
7
Purple
7th kyu
8
Purple with stripe 6th kyu
9
Red
5th kyu
10
Red with stripe 4th kyu
Brown
3rd kyu
Brown with stripe 2nd kyu
Brown with 2 stripes 1st kyu
Black with stripe Shodan-Ho
Black
Shodan (1st Degree)

Ichi
Ni
San
Shi
Go
Roku
Shichi
Hachi
Ku
Ju

[Eechi]
[Knee]
[sawn]
[she]
[Go]
[rowkoo]
[sheechee]
[hachee]
[Koo]
[Joo]

KYU TEST INFORMATION

RANK

TEST ITEMS

13th kyu

10 Push-ups, Bow (Rei), Count in Japanese (1- 10), Sonoba-zuki

Orange belt

(Punching), Upper block, Down block, Outside block, Inside block), Front
kick, Roundhouse kick, Combination technique #1

12th kyu
Yellow belt

Introduce yourself (Name, Age, and Name of Karate Style), 15 Push-ups,

Sonoba-zuki (Punching and Blocking), Kihon (Step and Punch, Step and
Reverse Punch), Combination techniques #1-2

11th kyu

20 Push-ups, Sonoba-zuki, Kihon, Kihon-Kata, Recite Dojo-Kun (Morals

Blue belt

of the Dojo), Combination techniques #1-3

10th kyu

20 Push-ups, Sonoba-zuki, Kihon, Pinan-Nidan, Combination techniques

Blue belt w/stripe

#1-4

9th kyu

25

Green belt

techniques #1-5, Free sparring

8th kyu

25 Push-ups, Sonoba-zuki, Kihon, Pinan-Sandan,

Green belt w/stripe

Sanbon-KumiteFace punch (Jodan), Combination techniques #1-6,

Push-ups,

Sonoba-zuki,

Kihon,

Pinan-Sandan,

Combination

Free sparring
7th kyu

30 Knuckle Push-ups, Sonoba-zuki, Kihon, Pinan-Shodan,

Purple belt

Sanbon-KumiteStomach punch (Chudan), Combination techniques

#1-7,

Free sparring

6th kyu

30 Knuckle Push-ups, Sonoba-zuki, Kihon, Pinan-Shodan,

Purple belt w/stripe

Sanbon-KumiteKick (Keri), Combination techniques #1-8, Free sparring

5th kyu

35 Knuckle Push-ups, Sonoba-zuki, Kihon, Pinan-Yodan,

Red belt

Combination techniques #1-9,

4th kyu

35 Knuckle Push-ups, Sonoba-zuki, Kihon, Pinan-Godan,

Red belt w/stripe

Combination techniques #1-10,

3rd kyu

40 Knuckle Push-ups, Sonoba-zuki, Kihon, Seishan, Combination

Brown belt

techniques #1-11, Kihon-Kumite #1, Free sparring (Jiyu Kumite)

2nd kyu

40 Knuckle Push-ups, Sonoba-zuki, Kihon, Kushanku, Kihon-Kumite #1-2,

Brown belt w/stripe

Combination techniques #1-12,

st

kyu Brown belt

Free sparring
Free sparring

Free sparring (Jiyu Kumite)

50 Knuckle Push-ups, Sonoba-zuki, Kihon, Chintou, Kihon-Kumite #1-3,

w/2 stripes

Combination techniques #1-13, Free sparring (Jiyu Kumite)

Shodan-Ho

50 Knuckle Push-ups, Sonoba-zuki, Kihon, Bassai, Kihon-Kumite #1-4,

Black belt w/stripe

Self-Defense (Goshin Jitsu) #1-5, Combination techniques #1-14, Free

sparring (Jiyu Kumite)

Shodan

50 Knuckle Push-ups, Sonoba-zuki, Kihon, Naihanchi ,Seishan Chinto,

Black belt

Kushanku,

Kihon-Kumite #1-5, Kobudo

Self-Defense (Goshin Jitsu) #1-10, Combination techniques #1-15, Free

sparring (Jiyu Kumite)

COMBINATION TECHNIQUES
#0

All combinations #1 through #10, begin with the right foot back. However, they should
be practiced from both starting positions with either right or left foot back to include the
mirror image sequence. Always a strong kiai after the final technique, then come to
ready stance in the same line of travel.

#1

Right foot back. Right front kick, step in, left roundhouse kick, step in, turning
clockwise, right back kick, step in. Slide in right straight fist to face, slide in left reverse
punch to stomach. Ready stance.

#2

Right foot back. Right front kick, step in, left low shin kick, left roundhouse kick to ribs,
step back. Shuffle left foot forward with right front kick. Right slide in with right jab to
face, slide in with right back fist to face, slide in with left reverse punch to ribs. Ready
stance.

#3

Left foot back. Quick three punch, left and right to face, then step in left reverse punch.
Slide in right face punch, slide in left reverse punch to ribs. Rotating counterclockwise
left spinning back kick. End with left leg back and facing in same direction. 360.
Ready stance.

#4

Right foot back. Jumping double front kick, slide in left face punch, slide in right
reverse punch to ribs. Turning clockwise 180, stepping in for back fist to face, slide in
side thrust kick to ribs. Ready stance.

#5

Right foot back stance. Step in with right face block, right down block, left reverse
punch to ribs. Step in with left outside in block, then slide in left inside out block, then
right reverse pinch. Rotate on left leg 180 to right down block. Step in left shuto.
Double wrist twist with right step in and right hand down. Ready stance.
.
Right foot back stance. Shuffle right foot forward, left front kick, low left groin punch,
right reverse punch to ribs, left face block. Pivot on left foot 180, right down block,
slide back right up block at face level, palm open, elbow forward. Slide in left reverse
punch on 45 to ribs. Ready stance.

#6

#7

Right foot back stance. Pivot left foot back to shikoashidachi, throwing right back fist to
face. Left front kick, followed quickly by left roundhouse kick to ribs, then step in.
Right step in to 45 left with right haito. Left slide in back along original line with left
outside in block, then right reverse punch to ribs. Turning to original forward line of
travel, step in side thrust kick to ribs. Ready stance.

#8

Right foot back stance. Left slide in left face punch, left slide in right reverse punch to
ribs. Turning clockwise, right back kick. Right slide in right shuto to face, right slide in
left haito to face. Ready stance.

#9

Ready stance. Left down block, right reverse punch. Turning 180 to right, right down
block, left reverse punch, turning 90 to left, left down block, right reverse punch.
Turning 180 to right, right down block, left reverse punch. Back to original ready
stance.

#10

Right foot back stance. Right low front kick to shin, right roundhouse to ribs, right side
thrust kick to ribs, turning to left, right hook kick to opponent right side of face, step in.
Jumping left side thrust kick, dropping into right knee down, left rear kick up into
midsection. Pull left foot back under you, turn to left until facing original line of travel,
and stand into ready position.

#11

Left foot front. Shutouchi, Ipponken, shotei-uchi, uraken-uchi, gyakuzuki (Right hand)
each movement sliding forth, step in right hand shuto-uchi, Ippon ken, shotei-uchi,
uraken-uchi gyakuzuki (left hand).

#12

Left foot front. Kizamizuki (left face punch) uraken-uchi (left face punch) step in hidari
maegeri, migimawashigeri and sokutogeri, step-in migi shuto-uchi, Ipponken, shotei-uchi,
uraken-uchi, hidari gyakuzuki.

#13

Left foot front. Migi mawashigeri, step in left hand gyakuzuki, left foot sokutogeri, right
hand gyakuzuki, left foot back to right ushirogeri, left hand gyakuzuki, move left foot 180
degree to back migi maegeri left hand gyakuzuki.

#14

Left foot front. Left hand face punch, right hand gyakuzuki, maeashi maegeri (front foot
front kick) gyakuzuki, maeashi ashibarai( front foot sweep), right hand gyakuzuki.

USA WADO-RYU KARATE-DO

JAPANESE PHRASES AND TERMS
Japanese Phrases and Terms

Japanese Phrases and Terms

General Terminology

Body Names, Stances, and Techniques

Onegaishimasu
Arigato-Gozaimashita

Hai
Kiai Hey
Dojo
Sensei
Senpai
Dan
Kyu
Mokusou
Kamae
Yohi
Seiza
Kiotsukei
Yasume
Rei
Yame
Aka
Shiro
Migi
Hidari
Kumite
Kata
Kihon
Shiai

Teach me please
Thank you for teaching
Yes
Shout, Yell the sound
Training Hall
Instructor
Senior Student
Black belt grade
Grade below black belt
Meditate
Take position
Preparation, Ready
Kneel straight
Attention
Relax
Bow
Stop
The color red
The color white
Right
Left
Sparring
Form
Basic Karate movement
Tournament

Jodan
Chedan
Gedan
Empi
Te
Ashi
Koshi
Shizentai
Neko ashi dachi
Uchi
Sonobazuki
Junzuki
Gyakuzuki
Kette Junzuki
Kette Gyakuzuki
Mawatte Jodanuke
Mawatte Gedanbarai
Uke
Uchi uke
Soto uke
Uraken
Mawashigeri
Maegeri
Ushiro-geri
Yoko-geri
Kekomi
Jodan ageuke
Gedan-barai
Shutoh-uke

Face area
Chest area
Lower area of body
Elbow
Hand
Leg
Hip
Natural stance
Cat stance
Striking
Standing punch
Front punch
Reverse punch
Kick & step in punch
Kick & reverse punch
Turn & face block
Turn & down block
Block
Inside block
Outside block
Back fist punch
Roundhouse kick
Front snap kick
Back kick
Side kick
Side thrust kick
Rising block
Dawn block
Knife hand block

USA WADO-RYU KARATE-DO

PRICE LIST
UNIFORM (GI)
PRICE
Average
SIZE

000
00
0
1
2
3
4
5
6

Height

3 0
3 3
3 7
3 11
4 7
5 2
5 6
5 9
6 1

Regular
weight
100% cotton

Heavy weight
100% cotton
canvas

$49
$50
$51
$52
$53
$54
$55
$56
$57

N/A
N/A
$75
$78
$81
$84
$87
$90
$93

USA Wado-ryu passport

Hand protector
Head guard
Chest guard
Shin & Instep guard
Mouthpiece with case
Athlete cup
Karate gear bag
American Flag patch

$25
$30
$35
$40
$30
$5
$15
$40
$5

BIOGRAPHY OF
SENSEI SHOJI NISHIMURA
Shoji Nishimura is a chief karate
instructor of USA Wado-ryu* Karate-do
Renmei in California. He has over 35 years
experience in Karate and has 7th degree black
belt. In 1977, he was the karate club captain
of Rissho University in Tokyo, Japan. While
he was in the club, he participated in many
kinds of karate tournaments and won many
awards including several fighting-spirit prizes.
He got the following awards at the
tournaments in the U.S., Japan and England:

1982
1983
1984
1985
1985
1990
1990
1992
1994
1994
1996
1999
1999
1999
2002
2002
2002
2003
2004
2004
2005
2006

4th place in KATA (forms), Arizona Karate Championship

3rd place in KUMITE (sparring), Arizona Karate Championship
2nd place in KUMITE, Karate Championship, U.C. Irvine
1st place in KUMITE, Arizona Karate Championship
1st place in KATA, Arizona Karate Championship
8th place in KATA, International Karate Championship, Tokyo, Japan
16th place in KUMITE, International Karate Championship, Tokyo, Japan
2nd place USA Team, International Karate Championship, Tokyo, Japan
4th place in KATA, International Karate Championship, Tokyo, Japan
The meritorious award was given by his alma mater
2nd place in KATA, Utah Open Karate Championship
3rd place in KATA, National Karate Championship, Tokyo, Japan
4th place in KATA, World Karate Championship, Tokyo, Japan
The meritorious award was given by International Federation of Wado-ryu
Karate-do Organization
2nd place in KATA, National Karate Championship, Tokyo, Japan
3rd place in KATA, World Karate Championship, Tokyo, Japan
Special lecture award from Ambassador of Japan
Special recognition from California senator
The Minister for Foreign Affairs award from the foreign minister of Japan
Outstanding award, National Karate Championship, Tokyo, Japan
Best 4 in KATA, International Championship, Reading, England
Final 8 in KATA, National Karate Championship, Tokyo, Japan

PHILOSOPHY of KARATE-DO
The way of martial arts must not be mere fighting technique, but rather the
way of peace and harmony, which is more difficult to attain than victory by violence. The
goal of practice and training is to bring about peace and harmony within oneself and others.
Strong will power, motivation, a healthy body, and deep understanding can achieve this.
Discipline of this kind is much needed in the modern world. These are the philosophies of
Japanese Karate-Do.
*Wado-ryu is one of four major karate style in Japan. He and his studio are officially recognized instructor and branch in
the U.S. by International Federation of Wado-ryu Karate-do Organization Headquarters, Tokyo, Japan.